Irish Politician Allegedly Recruited by Russian Intelligence, Taoiseach Warns of Growing Influence

Taoiseach Simon Harris has responded to reports of an Irish politician allegedly being recruited by Russian intelligence, stating that such activities “shouldn’t come as any surprise” and that Ireland is “not immune” to efforts by foreign powers to influence public opinion.

Speaking today, Harris emphasised that the government does not comment on national security matters but acknowledged the ongoing risk posed by Russian intelligence activities.

The Sunday Times he was reported that Irish military and security services discovered the politician’s involvement after monitoring his interactions with Sergey Prokopiev, a Russian intelligence officer who served as a counsellor at the Russian embassy in Dublin from 2019 to 2022.

Prokopiev is believed to have led the recruitment operation, targeting the politician codenamed “Cobalt” for legal reasons.

Cobalt allegedly used his influence within the Oireachtas and was monitored meeting Prokopiev outside Dublin. According to reports, the politician offered to help connect with Northern Irish paramilitary groups during Brexit negotiations despite having yet to have prior public or private engagement with such groups.

The politician’s activities were flagged after he was approached by gardaí, who informed him that Russian intelligence was targeting him. His lack of immediate concern raised suspicions, leading authorities to continue their investigation.

Despite the suspicions, no evidence of financial transactions linked to Russia has been found in his bank accounts.

In addition to traditional espionage methods, the Russians reportedly attempted to use the “honeypot” technique, whereby an agent tries to compromise their target romantically.

Surveillance of the politician’s internet activity while travelling abroad may have also played a role in the investigation.

Harris noted that the Irish government has seen a significant increase in espionage-related activities since Russia invaded Ukraine, with security services remaining vigilant. “The gardaí and our security services take all of these issues extremely seriously,” Harris said, adding that international cooperation is critical in addressing these threats.

Despite ongoing monitoring, the politician cannot be arrested or charged, as no crime has been committed. Although he lacks access to classified information, he remains a person of interest to Irish security services.

The Sunday Times also reported that some believe the politician’s connections to Russia remain intact.

When asked whether the public should know the politician’s identity, Harris declined to provide details, citing the sensitive nature of national security issues. “Not commenting is not giving a view one way or the other,” he said, emphasising that the lack of public disclosure does not imply a lack of seriousness in how the matter is being handled.

This case marks the first known instance of alleged infiltration of the Oireachtas by a hostile intelligence service, underscoring the growing concern over foreign interference in Ireland’s political system.